shifting the tone of pop culture criticism

If ELO, ABBA, and the Rolling Stones had a baby, it would be Foxygen, but don’t believe that they are any sort of rip-off. The duo’s latest effort, Hang, is a symphonic powerhouse that not only borrows from music of yesteryear, but also delivers a sense of authenticity and originality that only comes around so often. With a 40-piece orchestra accompanying all eight (typically) upbeat tracks, Foxygen has released one of the most fearless and valiant records in recent times.

The album opens with “Follow the Leader,” a soulful track with a mesmerizing groove. The orchestration is bright and shiny, while the drum and bass combo relentlessly pushes the song in a forward motion. In the closing moments, a heavy brass sound breaks through, making an already full-sounding track sound and feel larger than life.

While “Follow the Leader” sets the record’s tone early on, that doesn’t mean it stays on a set path. In fact, the second song, “Avalon,” includes a ragtime intro that bursts into a sing-a-long that will be stuck in your head whether you want it to be or not. Hang once again changes with subsequent tracks such as the ballad-esque “Mrs. Adams” and the unorthodox composition of “America,” and continues the trend of reinvention until the last note of the last song, “Rise Up.”

There are quite a few factors that make Hang spellbinding. When played in sequence, it has a natural progression, and at the same time, the songs themselves have no set pattern. To successfully pull off one of these feats is impressive;, accomplishing both is an utter rarity. While some listeners may have favorites, no track sticks out like a sore thumb, especially when the record is listened to from start to finish – which is, arguably, the proper way to experience it.

Foxygen is sure to win a lot of people over with Hang. (And I mean a lot.) It’s audibly soothing even when it has a harder edge, and is accessible enough for any music lover. Because it doesn’t stick to a certain formula and goes places other records don’t, Foxygen’s Hang is an early contender for record of the year.